BREW'N

Whether sailing Alaska coastal waters or snorkeling Hawaiian shores, V Rae chronicles natural life through bold portraits that leap from the canvas to your heart. Defying convention in a startling fusion of color and negative space, V paints Freestyle Expressions that transport each personal encounter through time and space, sharing with the world her seamless blend of art, nature and individual personality. Like Humpback whales, V migrates between Alaska, the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii each year painting from platforms frequented by her subjects.

Artist's narrative: Most of my paintings are based on personal observation and interaction. During the Alaska summer bears are usually found meandering river banks munching blueberries and pouncing spawning salmon. The Department of Fish and Game warns hikers to wear little bells on their clothing to alert, but not startle the bears. They also advise to carry pepper spray. But I find examining bear droppings a much more effective way to determine whether danger lurks. Black bear droppings are small and contain berries. Gizzly bear droppings are larger, with little bells and smell like pepper spray.